Morning journal and courier., 1887-07-30
THE ONLY DRUG STORE.

An Ancient and Historic Building Io
 Re Torn Down The Place where
 Benedict Arnold Served as n Drug
 gIst's Clerk.
 Another one of the few historical build ings that remain in Norwich is very soon to be removed. It is little shop that stands just north of the dwelling house of Mrs. Gardner Thurston and MT. Henry McNelly on Main street at Norwich Town It is fa- nous, as having been, according to tradi- tion, the only drug store in the colony or Connecticut 150 years ago. The Norwlcn Bulletin says: Dr. Daniel Lathrop, who grad uated at Yale in 1733, went at once to Eu- rope and prosecuted medical studies Tn Lon- don. On completing his professional eouoa- tion he returned to his home ill this town, bringing with him full stock of drugs ana medicines, erected the little building that IS soon to be torn down, and embarkedsin in bus mess as an apothecary and druggist. Tradition says it was then the only drug store between Boston and New York, and that Dr. Lathrop enjoyed 8 very extensive trade, often filling orders that came from parts hundred miles distant. In support of this claim the story IS that ID tnas carry time, when a malignant epidemic prevailed in the town of Waterbury, the pastor or 5ne church there came on horseback to Norwich to obtain the medicines necessary to check the distemper.
 Dr. Joshua Lathrop, a younger brother of Dr. Daniel, after graduating at Yale ID lI4o became his partner, and for years the firm enjoyed the highest reputation in their line of business. The elder brother resided in the house now occupied by Miss Mafla Gli- man and sisters; the younger 1n that Tn Whlch Mrs. Thurston and MT. McNelly live. The tad m various other goods from Europe, one of them occasionally crossing the ocean to select the stock. We can fairly presume that they coined money in the business, from story that was told of Dr. Daniel.
 A sharp old lady called at the shop one day with prescription. When the doctor had prepared the same she inquired:
 s'What shall pay?''
 He replied, ssthree and sixpence."
 'tNow doctor" said the lady, "do be iber- al, abate tEe odd and let me pay the even."
 "I will with pleasure" /" he replied.
 ''Then as three is odd and six is even, |" said the lady, "here is sixpence and that settles it.
 s'Thas is too bad," groaned the doctor, "but have this to console me, have made four-pence half-penny out of you as it is"
 It was during these years that Benedict Arnold, the traitor of the revolution, was clerk for the firm. He was born in 1741 in
 
 of the residence owned by Mir. James L.. Ripley. He was apprenticed as a druggist to the firm when lad. On reaching manhood he went to New Haven and embarked in business there He died in England in 1901.
 But ths little shop has not only impor- tance from sts having been at one time the only drug store in Connecticut. The Rev. David Austin, native of New Haven, who married the ongg daughter of Dr. Joshua Lathrop, came to Norwich to reside in the early part of the present century. He was soon installed as pastor of the church in Bozrah, where he preached as long as he continued in the ministry He lived in the family of Dr. Lathrop and occupied the lit tie shoo for study. He died in 1881, but there are persons still living in Bozrah and Norwich who knew him well and can bear testimony to his kindness of heart and at tractive manners. He had a commanding presence, great ability, rare scholarly attain ments and was an eloquent speaker.